The original Pokémon Red and Green games were released for the Game Boy in 1996.
Nintendo's handheld console was technically limited compared with home systems, but its portability and Link Cable supported Pokémon's most important ideas. Players could carry their teams with them and connect two Game Boys to battle or trade.
The first games used the Game Boy's monochrome display. Pokémon Yellow later received a release designed to work with the Game Boy Color's color capabilities and to resemble the television anime more closely.
The games' success helped extend the Game Boy's commercial life. International versions were later released as Pokémon Red and Blue, while remakes called FireRed and LeafGreen appeared for the Game Boy Advance in 2004. The original handheld setting remains a defining part of Pokémon history.